Learning Outcomes
DOLACEE application in the classroom
A DOLACEE tutor conducting two lessons with 3
classes each on “How to read English news
stories with a schematic structure.”
Based on the article ‘Blood Sisters’ in the TESMC
(Teaching ESL Students in Mainstream
Classrooms: Language in Learning across the
Curriculum) course book
headline
photo
byline
orientation
caption
incident
interpretation
Visual organiser for a
human interest story
Findings on Teaching how to read English news stories
with a schematic structure (120 students in 3 classes)
Students’ knowledge of the structure of news
stories:
Legend:
“Such stories”: “news stories about people”
Pre-questionnaire: I know how such stories are
organised.
Post-questionnaire: I know how such stories are
organised more now.
Agree and Strongly Agree
Pre-questionnaire: 37%
Post-questionnaire: 86%
Findings on Reading skills
Pre-questionnaire: I can read such news stories quickly
and efficiently. I understand what
the news is about.
Post-questionnaire: I can read such news stories more
quickly and efficiently now.
Agree and Strongly Agree
Pre-questionnaire: 48%
Post-questionnaire: 69%
Findings: Very positive feedback
Post-questionnaire
Previewing:
I know how to preview a news article: 82%
As a result of knowing the structure, the students know
where to look for answers in a news article
(e.g. orientation/ incident/ interpretation)
Skimming : 76%
Scanning: 74%
Findings:
Extending students’ understanding about how texts work
Debriefing in class:
Students asked to compare a human interest story with a hard news
story, e.g. a robbery
Students are aware of the absence of captions, an overline and the
interpretation stage in hard news stories. (Students becoming more
critical in reading)
Questionnaires show the schematic structure makes students more
confident in writing similar articles.
Pre-questionnaire: “I am confident that I can write such news stories as a
reporter in a school newspaper.”
Post-questionnaire: “I am confident that I can write such news stories as a
reporter in a school newspaper more successfully now. ”
Agree and Strongly Agree
Pre-questionnaire: 10%
Post-questionnaire: 24%
Findings: Enjoyment of reading human
interest stories
Post-questionnaire:
“ I enjoy reading news stories about people more
now.”: 61% (weakest class: 77%)
“I enjoy reading newspapers more now.” : 51%
(weakest class: 56%)